Ella Wheeler Wilcox

"Laugh, and the world laughs with you;

Weep, and you weep alone.

For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth

But has trouble enough of its own..." 

-Solitude

So in coming up with the title for my blog I googled the phrase "Twilight Thoughts" and came across a poem entitled thus. I happened to like the poem which I will share below. 

But most interestingly! after reading a bit of the poet's bio, I saw that she is also the author of the famous lines above - previously I had no idea who had written them or how old was this saying! She wrote these lines after having become a widow. 

The poem below has the same melancholy, almost cynical tone, but also talks of concern for the well-being of others. 

At least this is how I read it - feel free to share your own interpretations below!

The God of the day has vanished

The light from the hills has fled,

And the hand of an unseen artist,

Is painting the west all red.

All threaded with gold and crimson,

And burnished with amber dye,

And tipped with purple shadows,

The glory flameth high.

Fair, beautiful world of ours!

Fair, beautiful world, but oh,

How darkened by pain and sorrow,

How blackened by sin and woe.

The splendor pales in the heavens

And dies in a golden gleam,

And alone in the hush of twilight,

I sit, in a checkered dream.

I think of the souls that are straying,

In shadows as black as night,

Of hands that are groping blindly

In search of the shining light;

Of hearts that are mutely crying,

And praying for just one ray,

To lead them out of the shadows,

Into the better way.

I think of the Father's children

Who are trying to walk alone,

Who have dropped the hand of the Parent,

And wander in ways unknown.

Oh, the paths are rough and thorny

And I know they cannot stand.

They will faint and fall by the wayside,

Unguided by God's right hand.

And I think of the souls that are yearning

To follow the good and true;

That are striving to live unsullied,

Yet know not what to do.

And I wonder when God, the Master,

Shall end this weary strife,

And lead us out of the shadows

Into the deathless life.

(1869)